Part 10

The Hospital:

This chapter is shorter and less exciting, but it emphasizes the love everyone has for Audrey.

Laura meets Elizabeth outside the ICU where Audrey is. Elizabeth is trying to hold back her tears. "Laura, how is she? Where are my boys? Has anyone tried calling Cameron?"

Laura replies, "They have her in a medically induced coma to bring the swelling down in her brain before they can operate. I haven't been able to reach Cameron. Jake and Aiden are with Kevin in his office; I'll let them know you are here. Please sit down, and I'll get you a bottle of water."

Elizabeth wipes her tears, takes a deep breath, and calls Carly. "Carly, it's Elizabeth. Do you know how to get a message to Cam? My Grams is in the hospital, and we can't get ahold of him by phone. I know he'd want to be here (pause); you will, thank you. Please call me or have him call me."

Elizabeth finds Epiphany and asks her to page the physician who admitted Audrey. While waiting for the doctor, Laura hands her the water. Jake and Aiden run to their mother, and she holds them tight. "Your Great-Grams is a fighter. Stay with Laura, and I'll speak with her doctor."

Elizabeth asks, "how is she? What are her vitals?"

The doctor replies, "Elizabeth, your grandmother is in an induced coma to help reduce the swelling in her brain, but I'm not optimistic, and I think you should prepare yourself. Audrey has had a good and long life; maybe you should take the time to say your goodbyes; I'm sorry."

It takes all of Elizabeth's willpower not to slap this doctor she barely knows and who has never met her Gram. "How dare you presume it's time for me to say goodbye. You never met her; you don't have the right to call her Audrey! She's Mrs. Dr. Hardy! I want a second opinion. Have your notes and her scans to me in ten minutes!" Elizabeth walks into Audrey's room and takes the chart from the nurse, and reads it before she places a call to California. "Patrick, it's Elizabeth Baldwin; I need you. My grandmother was in an accident, and the attending doctor told me to say my goodbyes! She is in a medically induced coma due to swelling in her brain, and you are the best neurosurgeon I know. I am emailing her scans and the doctor's notes. From her chart, I know she has more time than what this no-good hack says. Please, can you fly to Port Charles? (pause) Thank you. Please give Robin my love, and call me when you land."

Elizabeth returns to her children and Laura. "Laura, I need to make a quick phone call. Could you wait with Jake and Aiden until I return? Thank you for letting me know about my Gram."

Elizabeth calls Jason, "hi, it's me. (pause) No, it's still uncertain. The idiot bleeping doctor doesn't know her head from her ass and is telling me to say my goodbyes, so I called Patrick, and he is flying out to access my Grams. Could you get Spinelli to do me a favor? Can he hack into the General Hospital cameras outside the ICU where my grandmother's room is? I don't want anyone we don't know visiting her. I'm going to ask for security badges scanned before they can enter. Can Spinelli check those badges too? Thank you. I must get back to the boys and wait for any updates. Me too."

Elizabeth returns and tells Laura, "I'm going to wait for any changes and ask Monica if she can provide security outside Gram's room. Can you take the boys home with you?

Laura replies, "of course, sweetie. I need to see Kevin before I can leave in about 30 minutes."

Elizabeth sits and waits with Jake and Aiden, regaling them with stories of their great-grams and the grandfather they never met. (In this story, I assume that Elizabeth knew Steve either by Audrey and him visiting when they were young or other visits). Elizabeth feels a hand on her shoulder and looks up to see Sam standing over her. They walk a few feet away for privacy.

"Elizabeth, I am so sorry about your grandmother. Dante told me what had happened. He said they think Esme Prince is responsible for taking you and Audrey's fall?"

Elizabeth replies, "yes, Esme took me, and according to the police, she fits the description of the woman they saw entering the house."

"Elizabeth, if there is anything I can do to help, please ask. Danny would want to spend time with his brother, and I'm sure Laura could use a break. We could look after Jake."

"Sam, I think Jake would love that. I'm hoping Cam will call, and he could spend time with Aiden and take the burden off of Laura."

Sam follows Elizabeth back to the boys, and she asks Jake if he would like to stay with her and Dante and spend time with Danny, Scout, and Rocco. Jake looks over to Elizabeth, and she nods okay. Elizabeth mouths, "thank you," as Jake leaves with Sam.

Elizabeth's phone rings, "Cameron, I am so glad you called. Grams is in the hospital, and the police think Esme is responsible. I'm sorry for interrupting your weekend, but can you come home? I need you, and I know she would want her great-grandkids near. I'm at GH with Aiden. Jake has gone to stay with Sam and Danny. I want to be with Grams. Could you take Aiden home? Laura and Kevin said they would, but they've already done so much for us. (pause), thank you. Give my apologies to Joss, and I'll see you soon."

Laura and Kevin return and Elizabeth tells them Cam will be there to bring Aiden home with him, and they can have time for themselves. As Elizabeth waits, Jason calls. "Hi, it's good to hear from you again."

Jason replies, "I wish I could be there with you, but Spinelli was able to hack into the cameras, and I've been watching the feed for a few hours. I saw you and Sam, and Jake is getting big. Don't worry; Spinelli and I will be watching the feed. Your grandmother will be safe, and I want to see you soon."

Elizabeth ends the call and nods to the camera. Elizabeth asks Aiden to wait outside for his brother. She checks in on Audrey. A few minutes later, Cam arrives. He runs into his mother's arms and cries with her.

He says, "mom, I am so sorry. They say Esme is responsible. Is anyone going to take action against her?"

Elizabeth replies, "first, they need to find her and prove she is responsible. Don't say anything to your brothers, but I'll ask Nikolas and Spinelli for help."

Cameron sits with Elizabeth and Audrey for a few minutes before taking Aiden home.

Elizabeth's phone rings again, "Patrick, are you in PortCharles? How soon can you get to General Hospital? Thank you, I'll see you soon."

"Elizabeth, I heard about Audrey. She is very beloved." Nikolas arrives and hugs her tightly. "The first time I met her was soon after your grandfather died. I arrived the same day when Helena brought me to save LuLu. She will be in Spencer's and my prayers."

"Thank you, Nikolas," Elizabeth replies. She whispers, "Jason had Spinelli hack into the security cameras to keep an eye out for Esme trying again. If anyone asks, I told Cam I asked you and Spinelli for help. Patrick is on his way to provide a second opinion."

Patrick arrives and hugs Elizabeth before following her into Audrey's room, armed with copies of her scans and doctor's notes. Elizabeth waits until Patrick finishes his exam. Elizabeth already got privileges from Monica for Patrick.

Elizabeth follows Patrick out. "Elizabeth, Audrey is in serious condition, but it is treatable. I recommend another day for the swelling to go down. I will slowly wean her off the medication to bring her out of her coma. I don't know about surgery until I see new scans."

Elizabeth replies, "thank you, Patrick. Did you bring pictures of Emma and Noah? How is Robin?"

Patrick sits on the bench outside Audrey's room, smiles, and pulls out his phone to show Elizabeth pictures of the family. "Robin is great. She is busy and will try to fly out later with the kids. Steve and Audrey were important to her."

Anna arrives and is surprised but happy to find Patrick at GH. He updates her he is taking over Audrey's case. She pulls Elizabeth aside to provide updates on Esme and asks about Jason. Elizabeth tells her what she knows. Anna promises to keep tabs on the hospital feed. She returns to Patrick and invites him back to her house for the night.

Monica stops by, and she shares stories of Audrey. "Elizabeth, you look wiped. Patrick's notes state he won't know much about Audrey until tomorrow. Please go home and get some sleep. You will be more rested in the morning." Elizabeth tries to protest but eventually gives in and promises to return early tomorrow.

She gathers her things and takes the elevator to the parking garage. Before she reaches her car, a hand reaches around her, covering her mouth. She struggles, but Jason whispers, "Elizabeth, it's me, Jason."

She turns around and says, "Jason, it's good to see you. He holds her, and she says, "I needed that. I miss you."

Jason replies, "I miss you too. We don't have much time. I'm avoiding the cameras, and you can't be away from them without drawing attention. I couldn't go any longer without seeing you again. I have Spinelli checking some things from the motel room and tracking Esme. As soon as your grandmother is out of the woods, I want to let everyone know I am alive. I love you." He kisses her and leaves before she can reply.

Elizabeth returns home, and her house overflows with flowers and cards. Cameron says there are several messages about Great-Grams too. She thanks him for watching Aiden, and she heads to bed to get up early and return to the hospital.